Statistically Speaking: Charlie Villanueva needs to log more time in the paint

AP PhotoCharlie Villanueva is the Detroit Pistons' best low post threat.
The scouting report on Charlie Villanueva was well established before the Detroit Pistons signed him to a five-year contract. On the offensive end he's what many label a stretch forward - a versatile scorer who can fill it up both inside and out.

Villanueva's ability to score in a variety of ways from the power forward position isn't something new for Pistons fans. Rasheed Wallace had been doing the same things for the last six seasons before joining the Boston Celtics via free agency this past offseason.

One of the main complaints about Wallace's play was that he was too perimeter-oriented. In his final season with the Pistons, over 44 percent of Wallace's field goal attempts came from beyond the arc. That rate has actually skyrocketed to the point of ridiculousness this season, but we've already had that discussion.

Villanueva doesn't love the three ball to the degree that Wallace does, but early season numbers suggest he might love it more than he should.

14 games into this season, Villanueva is attempting 3.8 three-point shots a game, one more than his career average. The long guns account for 29 percent of his field goal attempts, six percent higher than his rate coming into the year.

These numbers may not seem like a big deal. After all, Villanueva's effective field goal percentage from behind the arc, a statistic that factors in the additional benefit of a three-point make, is 48.1 percent. Still a closer look at some numbers and the Pistons; needs could alter the way you view Villanueva's shot selection.

First, it's important to note that Villanueva is an average three-point shooter. He's currently shooting 32.1 percentage, not far off his career average. The league average is 34.9 percent. The analysis can be narrowed further when you consider the average of forwards that play more than 25 minutes a game is 33.8 percent.

Knowing that Villanueva isn't exceptional from outside is more difficult to digest when you realize how incredible he's played close to the basket this season. At the rim, Villanueva is shooting 77.0 percent and within ten feet of the basket he's shooting at a 65.0 percent clip.

Compare those numbers to other power forwards around the league that are playing as many minutes as Villanueva. The average shooting percentage at rim among those players is 63.6 percent. Within ten feet they're shooting 46.6 percent.

You can't argue with Villanueva's efficiency near the rim this season. Considering that the Pistons' guards continue to rely on one-on-one basketball in the half court, they need Villanueva to spend a little more time with his back to the basket and less time on the arc.

Two other benefits of having Villanueva down low are free throw attempts and offensive rebounds. He is a quality free throw shooter, averaging nearly 79 percent from the line for his career. It's a given that you'll draw more fouls playing in the paint as opposed to floating on the perimeter.

As for the rebounds, Villanueva's numbers are down slightly overall, but that's not on the defensive end where he's averaging a career high 4.7 rebounds. Villanueva's dip has come on the offensive end, where he's grabbing less than one per game.

Part of the lack of production in this area could be attributed to Ben Wallace and Jonas Jerebko's rebounding savy, but the other part of the decline comes from perimeter play taking Villanueva out of position to grab offensive rebounds.

There's nothing wrong with being a stretch forward and shooting the occasional three-point shot. By having the weapon in his arsenal, Villanueva can keep his defender on his toes and open up space on the court for his teammates. But for all of these reasons discussed, Villanueva should focus on shifting his play a little more to the paint as this season progresses.

For an additional visual, I've included the NBA.com's hotspots chart for Villanueva. It's a really fun application and I recommend you go check it out.

Maybe Charlie Villanueva should just stop shooting the from the right wing.